The three major telecommunications companies (SK Telecom, KT, LG Uplus) announced on the 28th that they will launch a new additional model in the iPhone 16 lineup called 'iPhone 16e.'
SK Telecom is currently operating a 'special accessory promotion for the iPhone 16e' through its official online mall T Direct Shop's 'T Direct Store' to celebrate the release of the iPhone 16e. Customers of SK Telecom who purchase the iPhone 16e can enjoy additional benefits depending on their plan type.
By subscribing to the online-exclusive plan 'Direct 5G 76' and selecting OTT benefits, customers can use one of their preferred OTT services (Netflix, Disney+, YouTube Premium) for free. Customers subscribing to the Direct 5G 76 (smart device) plan can purchase the Apple Watch SE 2nd generation device at a discounted price of 12,000 won per month over 24 months.
When activating the iPhone 16e at SK Telecom, customers can enroll in insurance products for added peace of mind in using their mobile phones. A total of four types of products, such as 'T All Care Plus 5 i Regular · i Damage' and 'T All Care Plus 5 Switch i Regular · i Damage,' are offered during device activation.
Customers can also receive various discount benefits by using affiliated cards. Using the 'NH T Light Card' for purchasing a mobile phone in installments can provide discounts of 29,000 won per month for 24 months (condition: usage amount of 400,000 won or more in the previous month). If telecom fees are automatically deducted using the 'Hyundai Card M3 Telecom Discount Type 2.0 Card,' a discount of 25,000 won per month for 24 months (condition: usage amount of 500,000 won or more in the previous month) is provided.
KT is providing additional benefits for customers who purchase the iPhone 16e on the official KT online mall KT.com. When paying with a Shinhan Card or BC Card, a 12-month interest-free installment benefit is offered. Additionally, customers who write purchase reviews after activation will receive an Apple genuine case.
Moreover, KT will provide a 'Kwandah Premium Lite' one-month free usage voucher (worth 11,000 won per month) for the first 4,000 customers aged 18 and under who use the iPhone 16e. Kwandah is an artificial intelligence learning platform that provides problem-solving assistance for elementary, middle, and high school.
In addition, KT alleviates telecom costs through affiliated card benefits and premium family plans. Using the 'Super 2.0+ Hyundai Card' allows for discounts of up to 720,000 won over 24 months. By subscribing to the 5G Choice Special plan and receiving KT's premium family plan, discounts of up to 50% can be applied through selective contract discounts (25%) and premium family plan discounts (25%), allowing all benefits including VVIP membership, unlimited 5G data, content benefits, and free data sharing for around 50,000 won per month. Additionally, customers can receive services for lost phones, damage, and spam prevention through 365 Phone Care.
LG Uplus announced that the newly released iPhone 16e will be available at the official online mall Uplus.com and in offline stores nationwide. The maximum official subsidy is 230,000 won, and customers can choose between official subsidies and selective contracts depending on the plan they use. Additionally, those subscribing online can select the online-exclusive 'Direct Plan.'
LG Uplus will provide a hybrid case when purchasing the iPhone 16e from Uplus.com. Up to 180,000 won in coupons, as well as promotional gifts such as a fast wireless charger and a mini air purifier, will also be given.
In addition, applying for an affiliated card will grant a discount of up to 25,000 won on monthly fees when paying telecommunications expenses with that card. LG Uplus has previously offered benefits such as an additional compensation of 30,000 won for used phones for customers who pre-ordered, a maximum of 200,000 won in random coupons, payment with Hyundai Card M Points, and free vouchers for Netflix and YouTube.
The iPhone 16e will be released in three models based on storage capacity: 128GB, 256GB, and 512GB. It will offer two color options: matte white and black. The manufacturer's suggested retail price for the 128GB model is 990,000 won.
The iPhone 16e offers powerful performance at a reasonable price. The application processor (AP), which acts as the brain of the phone, is equipped with the latest generation 'A18' chip, and it will be released with a size of 6.1 inches, the same as the iPhone 16. The battery life is at an all-time high, capable of up to 26 hours of video playback.
Apple's AI system 'Apple Intelligence' is also included. It provides various functions such as creating personalized emoticons and removing unnecessary elements from photos with 'cleanup.' The AI significantly enhances privacy protection levels while providing customers with the information they seek. This functionality is expected to be supported in Korea starting in early April.
The photography features have also been improved. Users can take photos and videos using a fusion camera with a maximum resolution four times higher than its predecessor (iPhone SE 3rd generation) at 48 million pixels (48MP). The integrated 2x telephoto function also supports optical quality zoom photography.